Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Hopeful2 on August 29, 2025, 07:10:53 AM
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Good morning ladies.
Would anyone know which antihistamine is best to take for itchy scalp as it's affecting my hair after upping my HRT.
Thank you very much for your help.
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My head and neck used to itch at night when I started HRT years ago but it settled after a couple of weeks. Must have been a side effect. Not sure if antihistamine would help but Clarityn don't cause drowsiness.
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I use Benadryl Allergy Relief Acrivastine...they act in 15 mins and you can take up to 3 a day.
Just to add also chlorphenamine which is for insect bites hives and skin reactions - it can cause drowseness though....it is also in Piriton tabs from chemist...but you need to ask for the one with chlorphenamine. Hubby had a dreadful reaction to Lynx....ending up in A & E and kept in overnight. Gave him these Piriton on discharge.
Take care
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Whilst OK short term, I would keep systemic antihistamine use to a minimum long term due to the potential anticholinergic burden and try topical treatment such as a ketoconozole shampoo or a topical steroid.
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I think that I answered this in your other thread :-\. i.e. don't both with an anti-histamine at all and drop your current regime - see my other answer ?
This symptom is unlikely 2B caused by HRT but rather a drop of oestrogen which may make the body dry: inside and out.
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Thank you all very much for your replies ladies.
I went to boots pharmacy, I wanted to get the boots fexofenadine ones, but she said they're too strong and I came away with loratadine 10mg. Now I'm home they look a really low dose and probably won't do anything. She put me off the chlorpheniramine too saying they cause drowsiness. I think I should try and go out again and get the fexofenadine ones otherwise I'll have to reduce my HRT tho it's looking that way like CLKD suggests 😔.
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Anti-histamines are really 2 B used for insect bites or heat bumps. A good shampoo may help an itchy scalp though as my hormones rose and fell, it was my insteps that itched: as I took my socks off to step into the bath ! and I would wake in the early hours with 1 ruff heel scratching the opposite instep. This went after 2-3 months. Then my back became itchy ::). I never thought to use anything other than a good hand cream or 'nivea' ...........
Anti-histamines have helped me sleep but buying those that are 'non drowsy' became more difficult >:(
Drop your HRT for 2-3 nights then add an 'extra' to see how the itching reacts.
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Thank you all very much for your replies ladies.
I went to boots pharmacy, I wanted to get the boots fexofenadine ones, but she said they're too strong and I came away with loratadine 10mg. Now I'm home they look a really low dose and probably won't do anything. She put me off the chlorpheniramine too saying they cause drowsiness. I think I should try and go out again and get the fexofenadine ones otherwise I'll have to reduce my HRT tho it's looking that way like CLKD suggests 😔.
I took loratadine once and all it did was give me a headache. Cetirizine works but I was told by a doctor that fexofenadine is better. The 180mg makes me sleepy but the 120mg (the over the counter one) just makes me a bit more relaxed and also takes away the allergy symptoms which for me included itching round the mouth. Apparently fexofenadine is very safe.